Tips, Tricks & Guides.
28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free.
Here’s a round-up of all the shows available online, for free and how to watch them. Introduction.
A round-up of 28 places and shows you watch online for free! Theatres across the country are streaming free performances you can watch from the comfort of your living room.
Here’s a round-up of all the shows and how to watch them. Plus, how to support learning with their free teaching resources and educational activities.
Take a look through, or if you’re looking for something in particular – do get in touch!
Speak soon, Tom
Founder, The School Trip Community [email protected] 07470 660804
2 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) are part of the BBC’s ‘Culture in Quarantine’ series. Share the BAC’s innovative theatre, dance and spoken word with your students. All easily accessible on the
BBC iPlayer.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
View BAC’s performance’s on BBC iPlayer.
BBC’s Culture in Quarantine
The new Culture in Quarantine online hub offers a wealth of arts and culture from the BBC. The site includes theatre, dance, music, art and more to share with your students.
Suitable for:
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all the content on the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine website.
3 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Bristol Old Vic
‘Pilot Season’ is the Bristol Old Vic’s inaugural collection of streamed work. The season features acclaimed Bristol Old Vic productions and will run until 3 July. Next up is A Monster Calls, followed by The Grinning Man.
Get students of all ages involved in crafts, games, competitions and learning materials with
Bristol Old Vic’s Family Arts Hub. The hub also includes two more free productions – Ice Ice
Baby and The Tinderbox.
Ice Ice Baby is the interactive activity hub for EYFS using sound and music from their innovative show for ages 0-4.
Performed by the Bristol Old Vic Young Company, The Tinderbox is an adaption of a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, written by Silva Semerciyan. The production explores a range of themes from brutality and reasons for war, to the valuing of women based solely on their appearance. The show is also accompanied by activities and resources.
Suitable for:
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Family Arts Hub – Ongoing
A Monster Calls – Until 11 June
The Grinning Man – 26 June – 3 July
Watch A Monster Calls. Learn more about Bristol Old Vic’s Pilot Season. Take a look at Bristol Old Vic’s Family Arts Hub.
4 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Bush Theatre
Bush Theatre has launched a series of Monday Monologues. The series brings new work from some of the most exciting UK and Irish writers, including Travis Alabanza, Natasha Brown,
Shaun Dunne, Sophie Ellerby and Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu.
Written and recorded during the lockdown, the monologues will be released fortnightly and will be available to watch for the next 12 months. The films are free to watch on their YouTube channel.
Suitable for:
Dependent on monologue. See their website for details.
Dates available:
Ongoing, with a new performance every two weeks.
View the Bush Theatre’s Monday Monologues.
Chichester Festival Theatre
Watch Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast online for free. The show is accompanied by a free education pack, audio introduction, games and activities to extend student’s learning.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Until 19 June
Watch Chichester Festival Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast.
5 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Cirque du Soleil’s #CirqueConnect
Enjoy the magical, world-renowned performances of Cirque du Soleil from the comfort of your home with #CirqueConnect. Take a front-row seat and enjoy moments from their awe-inspiring performances.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
Watch Cirque du Soleil’s #CirqueConnect Performances.
Disney’s The Lion King
The Lion King’s ‘Getting Ready to Roar’ documentary gives a unique insight into the intense backstage preparation of the show. The film is perfect for students interested in backstage roles. The documentary is accompanied by supporting education packs for KS3 and KS4.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
Watch Disney’s The Lion Getting Ready to Roar Documentary.
6 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. English National Ballet
English National Ballet’s new ‘ENB at Home’ hub includes free ballet performances and dance classes. Next up is the Kenneth MacMillan’s Song of the Earth.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
17 June
Watch the ENB’s production of Song of the Earth
Frantic Assembly
Take a look behind the scenes of the Frantic Method with their new Frantic Digital teaching resource hub. The hub shares insights into the creative and rehearsal process. Also practical, creative tasks and fun, production-related warm-ups.
The site shares educational videos, teaching ideas and resources from past Frantic Assembly productions. Current content includes activities from Beautiful Burnout, Othello and The
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
View Frantic Assembly’s Frantic Digital Hub.
7 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Gate Theatre
Watch the critically acclaimed Gate Theatre productions of Suzy Storck and The Unknown
Island. Both productions are free to stream – available until 30 June.
Suitable for:
Suzy Storck – KS4 & KS5
The Unknown Island – KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Until 30 June
Watch the Gate Theatre’s Suzy Storck and The Unknown Island.
Hamilton
The smash-hit Broadway production of Hamilton will be streamed on Disney+. If you and your students have an account, they can watch this full-length, stage performance from 3 July.
There’s also a 7-day free trial available for new users.
Suitable for:
KS4, KS5
Dates available:
From 3 July
See Hamilton on Disney+.
8 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Jacksons Lane’s JL Shorts
A series of mini-films featuring some of Jacksons Lane’s favourite supported artists. Artists will be posting a demonstration of what they do, followed by a simple, short exercise.
Suitable for: KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available: Ongoing
Watch Jacksons Lane’s JL Shorts
Kiln Theatre
Kiln Theatre’s ‘Kiln Insight’ is a new programme of ways to learn more about, and get involved in their work. The programme includes exclusive interviews, webinars and filmed content – all accessible for free.
Suitable for: KS4 & KS5
Dates available: Ongoing
Learn more about the Kiln Theatre’s Activities & Resources.
Kneehigh
Kneehigh Theatre Company’s ‘Kneehigh Cookbook’ is a new hub sharing exclusive videos, documents, pictures and plans about their process and work. For a fun activity, their ‘Windows to the World’ initiative aims to spark your student’s imagination. From puppet making to poetry, one of Kneehigh’s team will demonstrate a creative skill and set you a challenge every weekday at 9am on their YouTube channel.
Suitable for: KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available: Ongoing
See Kneehigh’s Resource Hub. 9 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Little Angel Theatre
Little Angel Theatre has launched a new ‘At Home’ resource hub. Get access to a library filled with stories and activities to keep Primary school-aged children educated and entertained.
Suitable for:
EYFS, KS1 & KS2
Dates available:
Ongoing
Visit Little Angel Theatre’s Resource & Activity Hub.
Matilda The Musical
Get an in-depth insight into how to create a hit West End musical with the show’s creators Tim
Minchin and Dennis Kelly. Their teaching resources, educational videos and interactive games and activities cover character, plot, music & lyrics, dialogue and writing.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all of the Matilda The Musical Teaching Resources.
10 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. National Theatre
The National Theatre offers a wealth of free online productions, teaching resources, educational videos, insights and activities.
National Theatre At Home is a way of seeing some of the NT’s famous work from the comfort of our homes, each Thursday from 7pm. The series kicked off with their hit production of One
Man, Two Guvnors. Continuing with Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, Twelfth Night, Frankenstein,
Antony & Cleopatra, Barber Shop Chronicles, A Streetcar Named Desire and This House.
Their current production is The Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus starring Tom
Hiddleston. Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III has also been announced.
In addition to the weekly performances, UK state-funded schools have access to the National
Theatre Collection. The Collection brings the best of British Theatre to all state-funded schools for free. From Shakespeare and Greek tragedy to contemporary literary adaptations, the
Collection supports the primary and secondary Curriculum. Teachers can get access to high-quality recordings of 24 world-class productions, plus a range of tailored learning resources.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5 (dependent on the production)
Dates available:
Ongoing, with a new performance each Thursday for 1 week.
Watch Coriolanus. Read more about the National Theatre Collection.
11 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Official London Theatre
Official London Theatre is the official ticket agent of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT). SOLT represents West End theatre and also runs the annual Olivier Awards and Leicester Square’s famous TKTS Discount booth. Their family site hosts theatre-related videos, insights and activities for all ages.
Suitable for:
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all of the Official London Theatre Family Activities.
The Old Vic
The Old Vic has launched a new education hub providing resources for teachers, students, parents and young creatives. The site includes behind-the-scenes insights, careers advice, teaching resources and guides. The Old Vic will also be streaming their past work, starting with their award-winning production of A Monster Calls. The show will stream, for free, on their
YouTube channel from 7pm on Friday 5 June. The show will be available on-demand until 11
June.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Education Hub – Ongoing
A Monster Calls – Until 11 June
Watch A Monster Calls. View The Old Vic Education Hub. 12 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is bringing exclusive sessions to your home. All shows are available to stream for free and include performances from top names in the music industry.
The Royal Albert Hall’s ‘For Kids’ sessions are an accessible way to introduce younger students to different styles of music. Their programme includes ‘Classical for Kids’, ‘Jazz for Kids’, and
‘Opera for Kids’. All sessions can be watched live or streamed on-demand in full.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Current sessions have been announced up to 17 June
View all of the Royal Albert Hall’s Upcoming Sessions.
Royal Court
The Royal Court’s new ‘At Home’ site includes free productions, writing exercises and resources.
The theatre has also teamed up with BBC Bitesize to create GCSE Drama Resources. Activities explore a range of GCSE Drama topics including Devising, Theatre Design and support for exams.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all of the Royal Court’s At Home Activities & Resources.
13 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House has launched a programme of free online content to access and view at home. These free programmes include online broadcasts, musical masterclasses and cultural insights.
Currently playing is The Royal Ballet Premiere stream of The Cellist – a Cathy Marston’s ballet based on the life of Jacqueline du Pré.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Until 12 June
Watch the Royal Opera House’s The Cellist.
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has launched ‘At Home with Shakespeare’. The hub includes free online streams of their past performances, fun activities and learning resources.
Their accompanying live lessons give students an in-depth look into classic Shakespeare plays. Their lessons on Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth are still available and can be watched on-demand through their YouTube channel.
Suitable for:
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all of the RSC’s Home Learning Resources.
14 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Sadler’s Wells
Sadler’s Wells has launched ‘Digital Stage’, streaming full-length dance performances and workshops online. Productions feature companies from across the world, highlighting many different styles of movement and dance.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
View Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage.
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s ‘Museum From Home’ gives an insight into the life and work of
Shakespeare.
Activities are suitable for all ages, ranging from colouring in Shakespeare’s house to interviews and Shakespeare Shorts.
Suitable for:
KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
See all of Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s Museum From Home Activities.
15 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Shakespeare’s Globe Player
Shakespeare’s Globe will be releasing free Globe Player films, one on rotation every two weeks.
Upcoming productions include The Merry Wives of Windsor (1-14 June) and A Midsummer
Night’s Dream (15-28 June).
To further your student’s study, their ‘Teach Shakespeare’ site offers hundreds of free learning resources and activities.
Suitable for:
KS2, KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing, with a new performance every 2 weeks.
Watch Shakespeare’s Globe’s The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Vamos Theatre
Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, has made an extensive range of content, videos and their performance of DEAD GOOD available to teachers for free.
Suitable for:
KS3, KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Ongoing
Read more about Vamos Theatre’s productions & resources.
16 28 Shows You Can Watch Online For Free. Wise Children
Watch Emma Rice’s theatrical production of Angela Carter’s dark final novel, Wise Children, filmed live at the York Theatre Royal in 2019.A decadent and often surreal story of twins from a dysfunctional family who pursue a career performing as showgirls.
The show was loved by audiences and critics since its premiere at The Old Vic, London, in 2019.
Wise Children is an unapologetic celebration of the highs and lows that come from choosing to experience life to the full, come what may.
Please note this performances contains some strong language and some sexual content.
Suitable for:
KS4 & KS5
Dates available:
Until 30 June
Watch Emma Rice’s Wise Children on BBC iPlayer.
17 Thank you.
Tom Sanderson theschooltrip.co.uk [email protected] 07470 660804